Attorney General Jeff Sessions says 601 people have been charged in what he calls the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action. Of those, 162 people were charged for roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other narcotics. (June 28)
AP

close up of a group of white tablets with an out of focus prescription bottle in the background(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Doctors at two Hamilton medical clinics that prosecutors called “pill mills” were responsible for the deaths of at least three patients, officials said in announcing separate indictments.

A doctor at one of clinics, Dr. Saad Sakkal, prescribed “medically dangerous combinations” of drugs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

Among them:

• “Prescriptive Speedball,” which included an opiate and a stimulant.

• “Triple Threat Heaven,” consisting of methadone, a sedative and a stimulant.

• “Holy Trinity,” which consisted of an opiate, a sedative and a stimulant.

After Sakkal joined Lindenwald Medical Association practice, officials said the types of patients changed, and many would wait “long periods of time in order to see” him. At times, people would wait in the parking lot for the practice to open, officials said.

Sakkal is charged with being responsible for the deaths of at least two patients in 2016 due to complications from drug use. He was arrested in Florida Thursday, the news release said.

The cases, filed in federal court in Cincinnati, were part of what officials called a nationwide healthcare fraud "takedown." Attorney General Jeff Sessions said it was the largest health care fraud operation in the country’s history, with 76 doctors, 23 pharmacists and hundreds of others charged. The alleged fraud totaled $2 billion.

In the case involving Sakkal, officials said numerous pharmacies stopped filling his prescriptions, and pharmacists even called him to warn of the risks inherent in his prescribing practices.

Officials said Sakkal organized and led a group of his patients in a series of protests at local pharmacies, demanding that they continue to fill his prescriptions.

A separate, 114-count indictment names Dr. Nilesh Jobalia, who owned Cincinnati Centers for Pain Relief in Hamilton until December 2017. Authorities have linked one death to him.

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Patients were often prescribed fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine and other highly addictive drugs without being seen by a doctor, officials said. Oxycodone is sold under names including Oxycontin and Percocet.

The indictment says Jobalia billed Medicare, Medicaid and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation more than $2 million in medically unnecessary prescriptions.

Drugs prescribed to one person, alone, cost the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation $450,000, the indictment says.

Jobalia, of Springfield Township, also received more than $100,000 from a pharmaceutical company for “sham” speaking engagements about a fentanyl spray, according to the indictment.

Documents say usually the only people present were Jobalia, staff members from his office and a pharmaceutical company sales representative. The events were held at “fine-dining” restaurants in the Cincinnati area. It is alleged that Jobilia received $1,600 to $2,200 on 17 different occasions.

Jobalia's Columbus-based attorney, David Axelrod, said his client's not guilty plea speaks for itself. He said it would be inappropriate to comment further. It was not clear if Sakkal has an attorney.

A previous owner of Lindenwald Medical Association and a nurse practitioner were indicted in another separate case.

Dr. Rakesh Sharma, who lives in Florida, is accused of directing employees to see as many patients each day as they could – typically between 40 and 60 per provider.

Officials say patients were given very cursory exams and then prescribed drugs. Urine tests were administered, but never reviewed, officials said.

Sakkal and Jobalia face charges including unlawful distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and health care fraud. Sharma also faces health care fraud charges.